As the weather warms up, we’re all looking to the future, and the question I get asked more than any other is Will we be able to meet in person soon?, something very important to me too! The answer is that we will move back into our building for worship from 13th June onwards.

Several of our worship leaders in April and May are unable to travel and need to lead services over Zoom – our service on 6th June will be on Zoom for this reason. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to it, but we’re aware that several members, particularly those living some distance from Newcastle or with health issues, have appreciated the chance to join the service from their own homes. We’ll be looking at the practicalities of livestreaming the services using Zoom or YouTube when we are meeting in the building, so that people will have the option to join us in person, or access the service live online. Watch this space!

The arrangements will be the same as previously – we will be in the main church hall, with a one-way system and refreshments in the Durant Hall or outside in the courtyard if you prefer to be outdoors. We will be asking everyone to either provide contact details for track and trace, or record your visit if you have the NHS Covid-19 app on your phone. As before, we will keep everyone’s contact details secure, and dispose of them securely once they are no longer needed for Track and Trace. We’ll be asking everyone to sanitise your hands, wear a mask when you are moving around the building (unless you are exempt), keep to the social distancing rules for indoors – groups of no more than six people (or two households) – and attend only if you do not have symptoms and / or have not been contacted by the Track and Trace system to inform you that you need to self-isolate. If you’ve got questions, please do contact us at info@newcastleunitarians.org.uk or on: 07506 255 731.

Looking further ahead, the other question on everyone’s minds is about the future of our building and where we will meet for worship and social gatherings. We’re in the process of selling it to Tyneside Group Limited, whose offices are located next door to the main church hall. Their vision of it is a multi-purpose space with room for small businesses, arts organisations and some performance space, and they intend to keep the Turner Hall much as it is now, but with an improved entrance hall and better toilets.

They are open to the idea of us becoming long-term tenants in the building and continuing to use the Turner Hall space for our Sunday services, although we would need to move out or go back to having virtual services whilst the building is renovated following the sale. The sale should occur in late 2021 if all goes to plan, although given the way the past 12 months have gone, we’re prepared for the unexpected! The Management Committee is in talks with TGL to work out the practicalities of this, and we’ll keep everyone informed about how it goes.

On a more thoughtful note, I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity the past year has given us to experiment with new ways of doing worship and having worship led by Unitarians who in previous years would not have been able to join us due to the difficulty of travelling to our location. Obviously, none of us would have chosen these circumstances, and many of us have lost loved ones or seen those we care for fall ill. Indeed, I hope that in the near future we’ll be able to hold some form of gathering or memorial service for those we have lost, such as David Arthur from Wakefield, who is still much missed by all those who knew him.

Having said that, we may as well take what we can from what we have experienced, and I’m very proud of how everyone has worked hard and joined in to keep things going. As Spring unfolds and Easter arrives, let’s hope we can continue to grow as the year unfolds, and move from a time of darkness into one of light and hope.
As ever, my thoughts are with everyone and I hope that you and your families and loved ones are well – and if not, I hope you are finding the love and support you need. If Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians can help, you can email us at: info@newcastleunitarians.org.uk, ring: 07506 255 731, or write to us at: Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 8XG. We are keeping an eye on the building and your letter will be collected.

We are here for all our members and will support everyone as best we can! Please do let me know what works best for you.

Love and blessings,
Louise Reeve, Chairperson
Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians